Event

On Thursday evening 29th October we will be celebrating the life and work of Penkhull born and locally educated author John Wain (14 March 1925 24 May 1994).

Poet, novelist, and critic, associated with the literary group 'The Movement', Wain worked as a freelance journalist and author, writing and reviewing for newspapers and the radio.

Publication in 1953 of his first novel 'Hurry on Down' was a turning point in post-war literature and he was widely regarded as the first of 'The angry young men' a group that included John Braine, John Osbourne, Alan Sillitoe and Keith Waterhouse.

Friends with Kingsley Amis and Philip Larkin, Wain taught at the University of Reading during the late 1940s and early 1950s, and in 1963 spent a term as professor of rhetoric at Gresham College, London.

He was the first fellow in creative arts at Brasenose College, Oxford (19711972), and was appointed a supernumerary fellow in 1973. In that same year, he was elected to the five-year post of Professor of Poetry at the University of Oxford.

Wain was appointed a CBE in 1984. He was made an honorary fellow of his old college, St John's, Oxford, in 1985.

This unique evening will feature a short poetry slam, followed by John's son Will Wain who will give us a personal insight into the life of his father, then The Boat Band will play out with some old jazz including the Nelly Lutcher song 'Hurry on Down' from which the title of Wain's first book originates.

In addition, there will be a large display of Wain's novels and works of poetry and a small exhibition of photos. Oh and there's delicious food and a selection of real ales of which we're sure John would have approved.

The event will be taking place in the Bread in Common Cafe in China Halls, Spode Works, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1JH. The entrance is on Kingsway (plenty of parking) through the small Spode garden.

Tickets priced at just £5.50 include food and commemorative button badge.

Please come along and support this super evening - we look forward to seeing you.

Please note: Strictly no admittance to the British Ceramic Biennial at this event.